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21/05/2007
Pair arrested in relation to hoax coastguard call
Two men, aged 22 and 23, have been arrested after being involved in making a hoax call to Belfast coastguard, which initiated a search for two missing people in a dinghy on Sunday afternoon.
An emergency ‘999’ call came in to Belfast Coastguard just before 2pm from a young male on a mobile, stating he had seen a rubber dinghy between Portrush and Skerries drifting out to sea with two lads in it.
Coastguards at Belfast became suspicious regarding the call, but initiated the search and rescue for the supposed casualties by sending Coastguard Rescue officers from Coleraine and requesting the launch of inshore Portrush lifeboat to the scene, as well as asking the police to attend.
Steve Palmer, Watch Manager at Belfast Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, said: “We had our suspicions regarding this incident due to the initial faint laughter in the background whilst the informant was on the line, and the sad similarity of a recent incident that had taken place at the beginning of this month at Castlerock, where there had been a loss of life.”
A third man was also arrested in connection with the hoax call. The 20-year-old has since been released on bail pending further enquiries. The 23-year-old was released pending report and the 22-year-old was released unconditionally.
(JM/KMcA)
An emergency ‘999’ call came in to Belfast Coastguard just before 2pm from a young male on a mobile, stating he had seen a rubber dinghy between Portrush and Skerries drifting out to sea with two lads in it.
Coastguards at Belfast became suspicious regarding the call, but initiated the search and rescue for the supposed casualties by sending Coastguard Rescue officers from Coleraine and requesting the launch of inshore Portrush lifeboat to the scene, as well as asking the police to attend.
Steve Palmer, Watch Manager at Belfast Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, said: “We had our suspicions regarding this incident due to the initial faint laughter in the background whilst the informant was on the line, and the sad similarity of a recent incident that had taken place at the beginning of this month at Castlerock, where there had been a loss of life.”
A third man was also arrested in connection with the hoax call. The 20-year-old has since been released on bail pending further enquiries. The 23-year-old was released pending report and the 22-year-old was released unconditionally.
(JM/KMcA)
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